The Smoko Podcast

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! Honoured to sit down with Bardie Somerville, the legend herself and renowned carpenter behind Bard's Builds. Bardie shares her journey into carpentry, starting from her initial pursuit of art in university to eventually finding her passion in labouring and carpentry, guided by her father's encouragement.   Bardie opens up about the challenges she faced as a...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! Honoured to sit down with Dr. Kay Ramsey, CEO of Tradeswomen Inc. With over two decades of experience in DEI and public policy, Dr. Kay brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation.   The episode delves into Tradeswomen Inc.'s mission, focusing on outreach, recruitment, and support for women entering skilled trades. Dr. Kay highlights the organization's...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! We're joined by Dr. Nicole Tatman, a wildlife biologist and conservationist. Dr. Tatman is the Big Game Program Manager at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and she shares with us her expertise in big game biology and conservation, particularly focusing on elk populations.   Nicole takes listeners on a journey through her career, from her childhood fasc...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we are joined by Elizabeth Williams, a trailblazer in project management within the construction industry. Williams, a graduate in building surveying with aspirations of becoming a project manager, shares her remarkable journey. Embarking on a degree apprenticeship in building surveying, Elizabeth balanced work and study, gradually transitioning from part-ti...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we are joined by Karolina Dubiel, the founder of Girls in Aerospace (GIA). Karolina's journey into the aerospace industry, fuelled by a childhood fascination with planes and fortified by an orientation flight at age 15, sets the stage for a discussion on empowerment, mentorship, and breaking barriers in STEM.   Karolina sheds light on GIA's mission...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week we are joined by Chrissie Caprani, a seasoned electrician and advocate for women in the trades. Chrissie shares her remarkable journey from an interest in art to becoming an electrician with 21 years of experience and an organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Saskatchewan. Despite facing challenges like math struggles and...

Take a break, we're on Smoko. This week we delve into the fascinating world of tropical water cycle dynamics and its implications for climate change. Our guest, Dr. Melissa Berke, shares her groundbreaking research on reconstructing past water cycles using plant wax signatures found in lake sediments. Learn how these biomarkers provide valuable insights into past rainfall patterns, temperatur...

Take a Break, We're on Smoko! This week we dive into the fascinating world of oceanography and geo-microbiology with guest Dr. Emily Estes a chemical oceanographer, microbiologist, and Staff Scientist at IODP (The International Ocean Discovery Program). Emily shares her unexpected journey from journalism to geology driven by her passion for environmental issues. The discussion unfolds into th...

Take a break, we're on Smoko! This week were joined by Brandi Ferenc a refrigeration mechanic, HVAC instructor, and mentor to Women in the Skilled Trades. Brandi shares her unexpected journey into the skilled trades, her experience working on chillers and large equipment, her day to day, and the technicality of her trade. She discusses the pivot to instructor and the joy and future of vocatio...

Take a break, we're on Smoko! This week we're joined by Steph Noon, an ironworker with experience in bridge structural, ornamental, and reinforcing steel work. Steph shares her experience and insights into the world of ironworking.  We discuss how she discovered the trade and the variety of projects ironworkers are involved in, including residential and industrial construction. Steph hig...

Take a break, we're on Smoko. In this episode, I sit down with  Dr. Zoë Vestrum, a geophysicist specializing in Magnetotellurics (MT) and Geothermal energy. Zoe shares her journey into geosciences, from her initial inspiration from her father, a geophysicist, to her work experience and academic research; she explains her drive and passion for becoming a geophysicist. She explains the fundamen...

Take a break, we're on Smoko! This week we're joined by Emily Pencer, a civil engineer and project manager. Emily shares her journey to becoming an engineer and what drew her to civil engineering. She explains the technical side of civil engineering and the day-to-day responsibilities of a project manager. Emily also addresses misconceptions about construction and women in engineering, e...

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! In this episode, host Alexis Armstrong interviews Erin Winnick Anthony, a science communicator and founder of Steam Power Media. Erin shares her background in mechanical engineering and how her passion for making led her to pursue a career in science communication. She discusses her involvement in various projects, including her work with the International Space Stati...

Tune in as I sit down with good friend and colleague Rachael Gray. We speak to Rachael's journey through the diverse fields of geosciences, oceanography, teaching, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachael's story is one of unexpected turns, inspiring mentors, and unwavering dedication. Rachael's academic path took an unexpected twist when a geology course at Ohio S...

Tune in as I sit down with  Lisa Weatherby, the Dean of Academic Services at SAIT: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.  As an educator and researcher,  Lisa Weatherby work focuses on inclusivity within male-dominated apprenticeship programs. In this episode, we delve deep into Lisa Weatherby's research, which offers a profound exploration of the complexities surrounding inclusivity with...

Tune in as I sit down with Dr. Samantha Bova, an Assistant Professor at the College of Earth and Environmental Science at San Diego State University. Dr. Bova brings her expertise in marine geology and paleoceanography to the forefront, with a particular focus on unraveling the intriguing mystery known as the "Holocene Warming Conundrum." Dr. Bova shares her personal journey into the rea...

Tune in as I sit down with Lia Lamela, an electrician, skilled trades advocate and the host of the Sparky Life Podcast. Lia's journey into the skilled trades is nothing short of inspirational. Having previously worked in the field of medical aesthetics for over a decade, her life took a dramatic turn when she faced domestic violence, leading her to seek refuge in a women's shelter. This...

Tune in and join us as I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Natashya Falcone, a specialist in biomaterials and drug delivery, with a specific focus on groundbreaking cancer immunotherapies. From her early days of childhood experiments, to her academic endeavors in biological chemistry and molecular biology, her deep-seated desire to make a real-world impact through science became the driving force be...

Tune in as I sit down with a seasoned sailor, Larkin Bohn, who shares her remarkable journey and experiences within the maritime industry. We delves deep into Larkin's story, unveiling the twists and turns that led her from landlocked Kentucky to a life on the high seas. She went from planning a vacation to Hawaii to joining the crew of a ship, setting sail on an unforeseen path. Eager to lea...

Tune in as I sit down with Ayesha Wilson,  an electrical engineer with an impressive background in circuit design, along with a minor in embedded systems. Ayesha shares her inspiring journey into electrical engineering, which began with her fascination with physics in middle school. Inspired by Dr. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space, Ayesha initially dreamed of becoming an astronaut....

Tune in and join us as I sit down with Peta Cox, a prominent expert in the field of geospatial and surveying. Currently serving as the National Training and Development Manager at Consulting Surveyors National, Peta brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion. She is also the host of  the Defining Boundaries Podcast, which is dedicated to highlighting individuals in the surveying...

Tune in as I sit down with my friend and colleague Elizabeth Jimenez, affectionately known as Ellie. Ellie serves as a data manager at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a partnership of NOAA and CU Boulder. The episode delves into Ellie's fascinating journey, from her educational background in geosciences to her pivotal role as a data manager. Ellie&apo...

Tune in as I sit down with Stephanie Hogewoning, the Academic Chair of the School of Transportation at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. In this episode, we explore Stephanie's journey into aviation. Raised in a family of pilots, her initial disinterest shifted when sensory experiences at airports reignited her fascination with aviation. High school challenges prompted Stephanie&a...

Tune in as I speak with Louise Azzopardi, the host of the Anxious Tradeswoman podcast. Louise is an international award-winning heavy vehicle mechanic, life coach and keynote speaker. She's a strong advocate for women in trades, and supports tradeswomen and tradies through the challenges of life by giving them tools and resources to create change! Louise shares with us, her remarkable journey...

Tune in, as I speak with Diana Iracheta, the founder of Latina Engineer, a non-profit organization who's mission is to empower Latinas in engineering by providing educational and professional development resources. Diana is a mechanical and manufacturing engineer who is a strong advocate for women in STEM. Diana shares her personal journey into engineering, discussing her passion for physics...